I just have a few minutes to climb on here before my staff (and BFF’s) and I head to lunch. I just got a text saying we’re going to Luby’s Cafeteria so I’m already thinking about what I’m going to get. You’ll be happy to know after a year of being unhealthy and underweight and in bad need of surgery, I am back to my normal size and feeling ten tons better. (I am still dealing with some physical pain but I think it’s my trust from God right now. You’ll never waste a prayer on me but that’s another story for another time.) Anyway, the only unfortunate part about being physically healthy again and back to my real weight is that I can’t really get chicken fried chicken for lunch anymore. Grin.
Last night my man and I had the neatest experience and it’s on my mind so I think I’ll share it. We were invited to the 30th birthday party of a young woman we’ve known all her life. Kay’s parents and Keith and I have been dear friends since our early 20’s. Many years ago we served together in our young marrieds’ Sunday School department. Kay’s Dad, Roger (one of the finest men I’ve ever known), taught the men’s class and I taught the women’s. Each set of couples had 2 daughters almost exactly the same age. They grew up together at the same church and have known each other all their lives. We have vacationed together a number of times as families and as couples and leaned on each other more times than I can count. During difficult seasons, we have wept together and in times of victory, celebrated like wild people. Our oldest daughters served in summer missions together and met and fell in love with two guys from Missouri who were best friends. They each married those guys and were in each other’s weddings only two weeks apart.
We got invited to Kay’s birthday party because Roger and Mary Ann (one of the finest women I know) would be the only other older couple there. The rest were all in their late 20’s or early 30’s. As we sat at that table with our life-long friends right beside us, I looked around at those young people and remembered just yesterday when it was us sitting in their positions. We had so much life ahead. So much joy. So much victory. So much defeat. (I’ll just apply that part to Keith and me) So much need. Life – and marriage, for Heaven’s sake – is flat-out HARD. But you really couldn’t tell it last night. It was a celebration and time to put our troubles aside and boast in the graciousness of our God. And we did.
I thought last night how much God used that band of married couples so many years ago to keep Keith and me together through hard times and how much sweeter they made the good times. Many of us from that original young marrieds’ group at our church are still friends today. All but two couples have stayed together (no condemnation to those who haven’t – the devil is relentless) and through many very difficult times. None of us are without scars. None of us are as full of ourselves or as sure of ourselves as we were back then. We’ve been broken over and over and sometimes to pieces but last night there we sat, telling some of those people our stories and hearing a few of them say,
“That’s pretty cool.”
The way God ordained it, we don’t just need our vertical relationship with Him to make it in life and marriage. We need one another. We need Hebrews 10:24-25 kind of people. We need folks around us to cheer us on and even to question us and hold us accountable. We need people who will not only pray for us but laugh with us and cry with us. Eat Mexican food with us. Live life with us! We need more than Facebook and blogs and tweets, as much as I enjoy them. We need real people and real face-to-face, life-to-life relationships. Last night when Kay’s husband, Jerrell, prayed over her before we sat down to the birthday feast, for some reason Mary Ann, Roger, Keith and I grabbed onto each other for dear life and hugged each other with all our might. We are still standing after the enemy has done you-can’t-imagine-what to try to destroy us. Not one of us would take an ounce of credit. Jesus. It’s all Jesus. He’s been so much better to us than He had to be. He did not let the devil bring the destruction he wanted.
It seems only yesterday we WERE those young couples. In the blink of an eye those young couples will be our age, having endured what they were sure they couldn’t and having celebrated more than they deserved.
God is so good.
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed…Therefore we do NOT lose heart.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-8, 16.
Amen!
this was a bigger Word for me today than you can know!! thank you!
Beth, how sharing your lifes experiences touch me. I too have, by God’s grace, and the love of friends, risen Up against Satan in my marriage. God is Almighty.
I logged on to share with you what happened in my (face to face sisters) Fruit of the Spirtit Study in a friend’s home. As she was loading the disc, she shared with us her housekeeper noticed the study dvd case laying near the tv and asked if while the family was on vacation if she could stay longer and watch them! The housekeeper works during the day and is unable to join us in the study, and I offered to buy her the workbook and leave it for her when she comes. Now I’m on an internet mission to find out if your workbooks come in Spanish. 🙂 Praise the Lord. All it takes is for God’s Word to be visible and He will lead the ones calling to Him. Starting in the fall,I’ve been asked to facilitate a Ladies Bible Class (first time ever) on a weeknight so working women can study under your guidance, I know who I will invite! Also, while we are listening to your dvd it becomes almost impossible to hear you no matter the volume. You see in the next room is a parkeet who sings as loud as he can the whole time you are talking. If you stop to take a breath the parakeet stops to take a breath. We just laugh and laugh now, the owner of the parakeet says it love you – he doesn’t make a sound any other time. I think God is telling us through His creation (in the form of feather & wing) how happy He is. Onya!
Beautifully written Beth,very touching.What a testimony to the goodness of God.
Thanks for sharing and for the scripture. I’ve been feeling
some despair myself and I needed the reminder.
Esabelle
I’m sitting here nearly in tears reading this because I can so identify with gazing back and seeing the hand of God supporting (and sometimes thrashing the daylights out of) us.
He is so good. He is so very good to me.
Leah
What a beautiful post Beth. I have friends I have been friends with for 20 years. Those are the ones I cling to in times of trouble, doubt or joy. Have a great day and will be praying for the conference this weekend.
Jan
Thank God for friends that are there! My husband, children and I spent a good deal of our kid’s early and teen years on the mission field and while I would never trade anything for those years abroad it made sustaining relationships difficult because we never seemed to be able to stay in one spot for long. It broke our hearts when our oldest asked his dad, “What does ‘your hometown’ mean?” But they made it through and so did we. And although the life of a pastor and wife makes close friendships a little more tricky, God is good and provides what He knows we need – even if it’s the realization that He is the only thing we need.
I love that HE picks the friends we need and not always the friends we’ve picked out. What a blessing you all are!
Thanks for sharing Beth! My husband and I recently “graduated” from our newlywed Sunday School class into a young married class with a group of people that I hope we’ll be with for a long time. Just yesterday I was thanking God for the privilege of doing life with them and looking forward to the days ahead. So, your post resonates with me! Thanks for sharing!
That hit home. Can’t stop crying. Just having a really bad day. Wanted to call someone, but my friends are either working or out of town. Trying to tell myself that it’s not as bad as it feels.
LORD – I just give you Michele right now, I just plead with you to pour out over her head and heart with your annointing oil of joy and peace, may she feel your presence. And may the plans of the enemy be shut down.
In the powerful name of our HERO – JESUS, Amen
Dear Michele,
I have felt the way you have many times….I finally came to the conclusion last week that God is the only person who will always be around!!! I had been given a wake up call when I too could not get a hold of anyone over some events that have seasoned my life in an uncomfortable way! But God made himself present to me that night in seeking out his word! I dont know you but I do want you to know I will stop and pray for you right now! You are a sister in Christ and I hope you feel better soon!
Lori 🙂
Michele I can relate I am not having that good of day myself I have been weepy today off and on sometimes the tears just fall and what keeps popping in my mind all day is My God is Faithful. I will be praying for you dear sister
Carol
Hey Michele! You’re on my heart and in my prayers right now. I’m praying for you to know and feel God’s presence with you, and that you take your pain right to Him since your earthly friends are busy. God has it all in His loving care. You are so precious to Him!
Wish WP had a delete button for entries. Just took a 2hr nap, that helped.
I’m sorry, MamaBeth. I am very happy that you are doing better. I have been praying for your back.
That post did hit me – about needing relationships. The difficult part about relationships is you just can’t go out and get a meaningful one, it takes time and effort. So sometimes things like that are bittersweet – very happy for you, and at the same time sad that I don’t have that.
I think it’s just this season too, because everyone seems to be doing family things. And I miss my grandmother – her bday was next week. She was the only relative I was close to. We had a very strong bond, I felt loved even though she never said it.
Sorry for being a downer. I’ll be okay. Need to re-read that verse and remember the treasure so as to not lose heart.
Its ok to be sad about it though. I get bummed out because there seems to be friends around but everyone’s busy and I don’t have any one to hang out with. I think, “it should be easier than this,” Fellowship (like Mama B put it) is so important and not the drive thru kind. May we have fellowship with the LORD most of all and may the over flow of that be some good fellowship with friends.
Michele, I know from experience, sometimes you must be kind to yourself. It is hard for me too, to make friends. Sometimes it is very lonely. So I just talk to God. I will pray for you….Rebecca
Howdy Dear Girl!
I wish I could remember exactly who said this but suffice it to say it was a Big Dog of the Faith 🙂 You know, like Charles Spurgeon or George Mueller. Anyway, they said, “Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap.” And you can take that to the bank! Especially during a time when you’re called on to care for a dear one in the middle of the night. Just like you are, right now. It’s true, isn’t it?
Love and prayers,
Kath
Thank you Siestas. I know God is always with me, and my relationship with him has grown tremendously during the last few years. There are times when I can feel God’s presence and I cherish that amazing blessing.
Yet sometimes I just want a hug. To relax and just chat face to face with a close friend. Does that mean I’m not looking to God enough? This issue is complex. There are people who are married or have bff’s that are still lonely, I’m sure that hurts more.
i am so hearing you, michele… i’m guessing we aren’t here alone, and we sure aren’t the first. i know, that’s like the biggest question of my life, does it mean we aren’t trusting God to be enough, when we ache for human relationship? he created us for fellowship and life with each other, so it’s okay to need that… but when it’s not there, what do we do? i can relate so strongly to your comments here… it’s not something we can just decide to go out and get. anyway i obviously don’t have an answer, but wanted to say you aren’t alone, and i’ll have you in mind as i talk to our sweet Father about this tonight… may we find shelter under His wings!
Michele, We are here for you. We are not giving up on you and we are praying for you. God loves you.
Michele, I just want you to know I am praying for you. I always read your comments here, and God has really put you on my heart. We met briefly in the airport in Houston last January. HE loves you, my friend 🙂 [email protected]
I remember you! Hi Kelly!
Beth:
I am glad to hear that you are back to your healthy self.
I totally agree with all the reflection stuff you said. As my children leave to go away to college I can’t help but think back. I can say with out a doubt that we are all better for having done life together and with God at our side the whole way. I have a great hubby and yes marriage is just plain hard work at times. Which makes the great times even sweeter. I also have great kids, who are just as human as I am which makes life so interesting. I don’t want to even think about where I would be today with out God and my family in my life. Truly more than I deserve.
Amen! times a bazillion…boy that 2 Corinthians 4:7-8, 16 did me in, in a blessed way! Thank you for sharing. I so enjoy hearing about friendships like the one’s you have. I have not experienced that in my life, and it seems so wonderful.
Reflections. My youngest daughter just recently became engaged, she is our first child to get to this place in her life and I struggle with what and how to share the struggles that her father and I have survived through. I say survived because there were days when our 2 girls were the only thing keeping us together because we could neither one of us concieve of going a single day without them in it so we stuck it out. Now coming up on 26 years of marriage we both honestly share with our girls that we are more in love than ever and more in love with Jesus and that it was HIS grace and mercy even when we had no clue it was HIM. BUT how do you share and how much do you share with a couple so in love and looking at happily-ever-after as if it the only thing they will ever see. I am thankful they were not old enough to remember when they were the only glue keeping us together but I don’t want them thinking that it was all roses. What’s a mom to do?
As a young married woman – 13 years in August – I knew that my parents were miserable in their marriage. However, by the time my husband and I got married, my parents were getting divorced. It was not pretty. However, my in-laws sought counseling through their troubled years and have continued to guide and encourage my husband and I with their own experiences and newfound wisdom. You don’t have to go into detail, but I would express that marriage is work and at any time they have questions, you would like to be able to encourage them. Just knowing that my in-laws were available and willing made a huge difference. My mother-in-law, especially, holds such a special place in my heart because she is like the mother that I never before had – but so desperately needed. And have fun with them – doing anything and nothing. That can also make a huge difference – knowing that you are interested in the big things and the little things. Enjoy this special time in your daughter’s life – and pray for them relentlessly! 🙂
Marjie, I am struggling with the same questions, my 19 year old daughter isn’t engaged, but acting like she is married. I so want to sit her down and tell her facts…but I don’t want to push her closer to the guy she is with. Her dad and I have talked to her about her relationship with God while she has been in this relationship, asking her to ask herself “where is God?” It is so hard, when we see the Light and when we see more and don’t know what to say….It would be so much harder without my personal trust in Him I just have the same question. What’s a mom to do?
Hi Ya Beth,
I am so glad you are feeling better. Just thought I’d let you know and thank you for the prayers, that my test results came back clear. My little and only sister cried and prayed in the waiting room with me. What joy to see God work. God’s ears were probably burning hard the hour.
We also buried a friend who was told she had cancer in March. It was a sad week but we got through it and praise God for the people around us including you and all the seistas. THANK YOU!!!!!
Now, has anyone tried the Banoffi Pie recipe yet? I need to know about the milk. Love ya all…Rebecca
Praise God for clear tests!!
rebecca, i definitely made the banoffi pie on tuesday! i went ahead and boiled the 2 cans of sweetened condensed in a pot of water, i’m a risk-taker 😉 it was perfect! i didn’t do it for 3 hours -i’m not that patient -but probably for 2, and it still seemed fine! 🙂 good luck! and, so sorry to hear about your friend.
I am so sorry about your friend, I am so thankful for your test results.
<3
Rebecca,
So glad for the great test results! On the Banoffi Pie,
you can open the cans of condensed milk and pour them into a glass baking dish, bake in the oven on a low temp (maybe 300) for a couple of hours and you will get the same thing.
ALSO – you can buy “Dulce de leche” in most supermarkets and it is the same product already caramelized.
Hope it turns out great!
That’s how I did mine, too, Eileen, but I don’t think I left it in the oven long enough. Paula Dean’s recipe said 90 minutes but I think it should have turned darker. It was great though! I think your couple of hours would be even better.
Thank you everyone. I am going to try this pie this weekend. I love coming here and having everyone help you. Thank you Beth for making us feel safe.
Has anyone heard from “Littleladybug” (Dawn)? I haven’t seen any comments from her in awhile and she has been on my mind. Dawn, if you read this I hope you are ok.
Rebecca
Sweet Rebecca I’ve wondered about Littleladybug too. Siesta’s are praying and thinking about you littleladybug/dawn.
This is such an encouragement for me today, thank you. Some good friends of ours who got married the week after us 12 yrs. ago are headed towards divorce and I’m so sick over it. I’m so mad at the devil I could crush rocks! We are trying to help them all the while fighting our own battles and clinging to each other. I just needed this today.
I want to break out into Barbra Streisand’s… “people, people who need people… are the luckiest people in the world” 🙂
Oh Beth, God is SO good isn’t He?!!
The whole aspect of generations has been on my mind as I begin my work of training in the younger women that seek to enter the convent. Like you it was only yesterday that I stood where they now stand. Like you, it is only Jesus that has helped me to persevere and only Jesus that can give me the grace to guide these women.
Sending love to you and all the siestas –
Sister Lynn’
P.S. I begin an 8 day silent retreat tomorrow – I will be praying for you, Beth. much love to you. May graces abound!
Sister Lynn,
I’ll be praying for you during your 8 day silent retreat. I must admit that just reading that kind of scares me and I’ve been actively seeking God in hushing me up! LOL
I just wanted to tell you that even through a computer screen, there’s just something about Christ in you that resonates. Praying for you and those precious sisters who are soon to be in your care. May Christ be glorified, and lifted up!
Blessings, Kristi
I would personally have to wear duct tape to keep myself from talking…I’ll be praying for you too!
Sister Lynn, wow 8 days, Glory to GOD for your dedication. I can’t stop talking even if its to myself or the LORD.
May JESUS just be afresh to you during this time of beautiful obedience.
Well, talking to the LORD is allowed of course 🙂
And I don’t have kids and a spouse or anyone that needs me to talk to them… so that frees my up considerably …
thanks for all the prayers and support – i LOVE siestaville!!
And we love YOU.
Lynn, there’s a much, better song…
“People Need the Lord” by Steve Green.
Now, you can’t beat that! LOL
Good stuff Beth.
P.S. You are not old.
Kristi – thank you for your sweet words. I am grateful for your prayers.
When I was new to this life I didn’t think I could be quiet for one day let alone EIGHT. But 11 years later, how I long for these days of silence.
Blessings to you! Sister Lynn
Joyce – I will have to look up that song!
Thank you Mama Beth! I feel like God just used you to speak a word into my ear! My husband and I have been feeling led to start a young marrieds group in our home. We are trying to figure out how to go about it. We have only been in this town/chuch for a little under two years so I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, etc. But I am really feeling that this is something God wants us to do.
I loved reading your description today, and I feel like it is just one more affirmation that I need to break out of my comfort zone and do this. I am very much an introvert so this is not easy! Thanks for always being such an encouragment to me! You are the best!
Sometimes we just need to hear a good old breath-taking message–boy, did you deliver!
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
p.s. Chicken Fried Chicken is one of my favs–and since I don’t often pass it up, you can tell by my extra weight that I love every fork full! 🙂 🙂
Oh, I LOVE that whole family! They have blessed me in so many ways! I have had the privilege of serving along side with them (including Jane and Wes) in one ministry or another and they are the real deal.
It is so true, Ms Beth, that nothing beats real “face-to-face, life-to-life relationships.” I don’t want to even imagine where I would be today without my brothers and sisters in the Lord. Sadly, many I knew in the faith have fallen away. I know it is ONLY by the grace of God that I remain standing (even though I had many seasons of barely crawling or just flat out on my face). To Him alone be glory!!
And boy does the time fly. I can’t believe I am in my 30’s, and those kids I used to teach in Sunday School are leaving high school and getting into college!!! I seems like I was just in high school yesterday! Anyways, hope you enjoyed your lunch at Luby’s.
Thank you for being such an encouragement to women throughout the world. Your openness and honesty is warming!
Oh I love this. I’m half way between 30 and where you are, and you’re right- it’s hard. But it’s good, and I’m so thankful for that. Have a great Thursday.
Thank you Beth,
For words of encouragement needed. My emotions do not rule; Christ’s love and God’s word do…my emotions will eventually follow those. Good friends who weather the 25 plus years of one anothers’ junk are pure treasure.
That’s all need be said today.
I love that!
Seista OC,
thank you for your 3 words.
…not “feeling” loveable today with God given beloved, but what I said is still true.
your words mattered.
xoxo, rene
Thank you…I am one of those “looking ahead” and words from the wise, who’ve been there before, and can look back and see God’s sovereignty through it all…well, that is great encouragement…as is II Cor.
Speaking of Lunch. A little different but still the same. I just returned from lunch with some of our GAB (Girls and Bibles) ladies. We suspend Bible study for the summer months but try to stay somewhat connected during the summer. We had a great time catching up. Most of us go to the same church so we still see each other but there are a few who attend other churches so it was great. The women who met today were the ladies who are empty nesters so we didn’t need to find babysitters.I am tactifull giving our ages “GRIN” I love our GAB group we range in age from mid 20’s to mid 60’s. YAY for girlfriends with the common bond of Christ. September 2 will be our kick-off day for GAB, brunch and fellow(girl)ship, then 2 weeks later we will start Beth’s ESTHER, It’s tough being a Woman.
Have a Blessed Day!
You will be so, so blessed with the Esther study! I, too, am part of a Women’s Bible study group at my church – we just call it our Tuesday Morning Bible study and I am usually the youngest participant. I have done several studies with them and I can tell you just how very much the guidance of the more mature (wink!) ladies in our group has meant to me. We have brunch, fellowship and study and each and every part has been so beneficial to me in my marriage, my friendships and especially in my walk with Christ. (Even the brunch – great and easy recipes are a great help for a busy mom!) Praying that you are so very blessed!
Thank you, Beth. I needed to hear this.
I have been watching some of the youtube bible teachings you have done this week on my commute to work and it has totally changed my prospective. THANK YOU!
My sweetie and I have the most precious Small Group of incredible married couples, and we’ve been through (not as a small group, but as friends) about 10 years of life together so far, 2 years studying the Word together. Most of us are about Kay’s age, and just starting families… I think about us years from now, and this is a beautiful reminder of what that will (for the grace of God) look like. Thanks so much for the reminder of how special that is…I’m going to share this wonderful blog with the group.
MUCH love to you, Beth! Thanks for sharing~
love you mama Siesta
Love you, too, Darling.
O Beth, this was so amazing. On 21st September, my husband, Mark, & I celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. When I look back & remember the dreams we had when we started out & how many of them came crashing down around us, I am also amazed at how awesome God is. We are still married & more in love than ever. We have 3 beautiful sons &, for me, that is pure evidence of God’s grace. I do not deserve these children. Our life is not perfect or trouble free but it’s great. Yes, the devil did not get his way in many things. Thank You, Jesus. I join you in celebrating a life that has triumphed because of God – Reversal of Destiny! We are still waiting & longing for a few more of those. I love you Beth, & can testify to how God uses you to touch lives.
Much love
Colleen
Collen, My husband and I celebrate our 25th Anniversary also in August this year. We have
twin boys. It’s exciting to know how God works
and Yes, helps us through the tough times.
Happy Anniversary EARLY!
Thanks for sharing Beth. Your friends sound like such a blessing!
My husband applied for his dream job in the exact location that we had always dreamed to live, he didn’t get it and much less qualified person did. We were so frustrated. However, God was working, about 6 months later, the position he has now opened up and he applied and got it. It brought us to this little rural community. We didn’t have any connections here. We started going to a small Christian Church and began hearing the Word preached on a weekly basis. I was not a Christian at the time. The Holy Spirit began His work in my heart and I turned my life over to Jesus and was baptised in this same church. We joined a small group made up of younger couples. None of us knew that we all suffered from infertility. This was a wonderful support group as we sought treatment. The group has since stopped meeting, but the friendships here are eternal.
As if that wasn’t blessing enough. God opened the door for us to join a local non-denominational Bible study made up of several couples our age with children the same as as ours. This group has become a foundation for us. We feel so abundantly blessed to have friends we can get in the Word together and search its truths. I could continue to list the blessing that have flowed from this one move all day, but bottom line though is God brought us here and has blessed us.
Thanks for sharing Sarah – what a treasure. What a gift of HIS HAND in your life, I love that!
Thank you 🙂 This truly ministered to me today. Like a sweet answer to prayer. I know I am not alone in my struggles as a nearly 30 year old wife and mother. My 9 year marriage has definitely taken its share of hits and I credit the fact that we are still together as a straight up MIRACLE of God! By the worlds standard’s we’re fools for not have gone our separate ways a long time ago! Still, my heart breaks each day for my husband and the hold satan has on his heart. The past few days the Lord has reminded me AGAIN as he’s been doing for months now, that I really need to get my family around other Christian families. Just yesterday I was pouring over the list of small groups from my church (narrowing down to the very few that offer childcare) but would not muster the courage to contact any of them. I know my husband will not join me in this, but I believe #1) all the more reason for me and my daughters to get involved, we desperately NEED to be around other Christ followers! and #2) I have great faith that God will use this to reach out to my husband, and someday, I truly believe, he will join me 🙂 I think now I have a call to make 🙂
I just felt this on my heart. I was hearing a teaching one day on Noah and the family getting on the Ark and how sometimes we have members in our family that are not “on board.” The point that stuck out was Noah got on board. And his family followed. You, respectfully under the covering of Jesus, get on board, and I KNOW GOD will do something amazing.
HUGE PRAISE REPORT!
I love the verse you posted, it fits so well with what I am going to share!
I lost a baby at 10 weeks this last Christmas. It was the hardest thing I’ve had to endure. But God was faithful to me, giving me hope and peace. I had a “wake up” call about 2 months ago and realized, I have this amazing gift of peace and hope and truth and HE offers it freely to me, what a fool I’d be to not accept Him at His word and TRUST.
A week later I got a postitive pregnancy test! And this week we found out we are having TWINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God is a God of amazing, miraculous things and my cup runneth over!!!!! I’ve posted pictures on my blog and I am just downright giddy!!
And the God gave to Job double what had been taken from him. Praise the Lord!!
I was just soo excited to share with my siestas, some of whom have followed my story! This was the perfect spot I think 🙂
Love to you Beth, your words have meant so much during this time for us. You will never know your impact!
:):):)
Oh, my gracious, KB! The double portion!!
That is so wonderful! Praise be to God! 😀
I am so very happy for you. Your are BLESSED
Thank you so much!
Thank you!!
🙂 Indeed!
Yes, your sippy-cup runneth over. My mouth was wide open reading this!!! Praise the LORD.
And I love how you put ‘what a fool I’d be to not accept Him at His word and TRUST.’ I have realized this to – JUST BELIEVE HIM!
Congrats MAMA!
Thank YOU!!! 🙂 🙂
I am so stinkin’ happy for you! Praises to Jesus!
Adrienne
Thank you! I love that you said stinkin’…I say that all the time 🙂
So EXCITED for You! God is AWESOME!
Thank you so much 🙂 He really is awesome!
I am not sure if I am writing this because Beth reminded me or if it is from God, either way, beautiful and fitting verse for you:) Congrats!
LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance. (Psalm 16:5-6)
What an awesome verse! Thank you for sharing it 🙂
Beth,
You and your staff mean more to me than you will know this side of glory. I’m wading thru the hardest faith walk of my life. My husband who was raised in a cult has left me after 15 years of WONDERFUL marriage. I believe God has clearly shown me he is being pursued by Christ Jesus. He still contacts me and knows I am remaining before God married to and in love with him. I believe God has shown me in scripture and a few times in supernatural ways I am to BELIEVE HIM for my beloved’s salvation and the restoration of our marrige AND ministry for my beloved. PLEASE, I beg of you, pray for me to stand strong against the enemy. Please pray for the blind to be healed and the captive set free. Know I love and pray for you and long for a cup of coffee in heaven with time to chat.
Standing with you, Tanya. May the enemy be completely overthrown and the Son of God revealed. Have you ever read Dobson’s “Love Must Be Tough”? This many years after its release, it is still such a fresh word!
I have not read that book but will. I’ve done most of the Bible studies you have written and several others. I cannot find anywhere in the Word where people just have an easy life and get to go home, especially if they are praying for much fruit to be harvested and lost souls saved. That sounds really good but living it out can be painful and lonely. I’m praying God brings whatever light needs to be brought to my beloved soon. Thank you for the comment, your prayers and your training over the years to BELIEVE GOD TO BE HUGE. with love, Tanya
Tanya, I am so sorry. Life is so hard sometimes. God is for you – I pray for loads of faith to rise up in you right now. That you would know God’s heart for you in the coming days.
Jessica
You know I love how you said “Please pray for the blind to be healed and the captive set free”
I think we often forget that people are blind in their addictions, or lifestyles…and from someone who has been in a cult; I can tell you that I heard God even though I may not have been sure that was who I was praying to even then. I am going to pray for you, and your peace of mind. Its not easy, and I can’t imagine what it would be like to be married to someone and deal with that. Don’t lose heart girl. God still IS, and He ALWAYS WILL BE God…:)
I cannot tell you what your posts have meant to me. I thank you more than words can express. This is a huge road of faith but I believe God has been very clear. What is remarkably strange is how GOOD our marriage has been. I’m praying God uses that on my beloved’s heart. In the new Breaking Free, Beth speaks about “resting in a word God has spoken, knowing it may come today or next month, but God will DO what He has SAID HE WILL DO.” I’m believing God.
loving your thoughts (through stinging tears), and the incredible testimony of grace you are… this does hit me in kind of a sore spot. as you describe what i long for, my best and longest friends are scattered all over the green earth… so i most often am just standing alone! it’s just a weird season. praying for the community to do life with! but goodness, can i please be done with the alone time?! praying today for the pain you still have a bit of! don’t like it. off to grab some lunch of my own ~ love ya mama b!
I am asking God for that very thing for you, Sweet Thing. May He bring much healing to that sore spot.
To you and others, I would suggest that you find or start a Small Group. Three years ago this past February we started a small group, me the happy camper, cause I love people and I wanted to surround myself with other Christians. My husband he is a born scholar,and soooo knowledeable of the Bible. (but) he went into this kicking’ and a screaming, almost(People he doesn’t know scare him…(*grin). Anyway,our group met a need in the church which at the time we weren’t aware of and that need was geared towards the over fifty crowd. Our core group is about 16 people and we have had as many as 24. We study God’s Word, we have had two couples that met in group go to Ireland this past year, we play golf together, celebrate life, weddings,birthdays and just because days and carry one anothers burdens.We also make a point of having one day every three months to play games and fellowship. We started the group reading and discussing The Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyun. This was a great way for people to come together and was non-threatening to skeptics. We have several people who host, and teach. I can’t say enough about small groups for any age group or marital status.
Thanks, Beth, for these memories and reminders.
On another note, the ladies of our church are gathering together for the Breaking Free (revised edition) study this summer. We have about 85 women involved and the Lord is doing a work in each life. Thanks for your commitment to the Lord and to reminding us that freedom is possible.
Blessings to you, your family and ministry.
Just wondering if Beth has done a bible study on marriage?
No. Too scared to. Grin.
LOL! Mama Beth, I would be too scared to do your bible study on marriage, if there were one. Big grin.
Me too Hilary! LOL I would also be too scared to do a Beth Moore Bible study on marriage. Lord let me get through all the others Beth’s done first, please. (I’ve only done 2!!) LOL
I’m waiting for that one *tick tock tick tock* Ugh…so many of us need it.
Oh, no! That usually means that is what God will lead us to do next! I kept telling God I would NEVER be a missionary; after 9 years as a missionary in Ukraine, I had NO idea that it was the best (and hardest) thing in my life! I was single the whole time and would “tease” God by telling Him that I would NEVER get married…somehow He knows when we are serious and when we are kidding. However, once I became content as a single, God brought a wonderful, godly man to be my husband….we celebrated our 7th anniversary this summer!
Becky
We would love you to do a study on marriage….please! 🙂
What a great reminder and testimony to God alone providing and protecting and bringing victory. Thanks for the blessing to my day.
WOW! I’ve never been the first one to post before – YIPPEE!! I agree so much with what you are saying. My husband and I have been together for 15 years, and we’re still friends, and have a deeper love and understanding for one another – and know that it is in spite of us…but for God’s sake! I’m going to try and quote you, Beth – (paraphrase from week two of Stepping UP) – God is FOR us, and it is not how we feel, but what we know that we know that we know…this was my morning blessing (session 2 video). Hold tight to one another, behind the doorframe cleansed with hyssop! God is FOR us, and sent Jesus to make a way! Never give up, because He does not give up on us (Is that one of those “X” things from Esther?)!
oops – I guess it just said “zero comments” for two seconds – me and my big typing fingers!! Still nice to be in the top 50 – LOL!
Thank you for sharing…this was precious. As one who has recently been separated from all those I hold near and dear, this brought a bit of melancholy for me. But it’s not a bad thing…it just makes those times when you can actually lay paws on one another that much sweeter!
Blessings all ya’ll!
Sharoni
Sharoni, You are a Blessing!
Mama Beth – how wonderful to be part of such a celebration. Not only the one you went for, but also the celebration of so much more behind-the-scenes! I am a thirty-something, married for over 1/3 of my life – in August we’ll celebrate 13 years! I’m blessed beyond measure with an amazing husband, 10-year-old son and baby girl on the way. I am blessed with the family I married into – God knew how desperately I needed people to teach me what real parents were – and I am so blessed with a church family that is beyond what I could have ever imagined. Lately, however, my husband and I have been struggling with medical bills and it is just really wearing us down. I needed your reminder today to celebrate our victories and to know that God will bring us through these trials!
We are trying desperately to pay off bills incurred due to an ER visit and a gallbladder surgery shortly thereafter – but in the balance we are also paying a huge balance for our son and ongoing medical expenses for him. The reason it wears on us so bad right now is because it is a matter of continuing to provide his care so that he can be a regular 10-year-old, or discontinuing his current medical treatments just to pay mine off. And this is before the baby comes in just a few more weeks. It’s a horrible place to be and my husband has been my rock…he’s just getting so tired.
I certainly didn’t mean to ramble on here, but I wanted to say thank you. When I went to bed the other night, I realized that my prayers were full of requests and I got so angry. I decided to quit requesting and just be grateful, so I began to thank God for every single thing that I could ever imagine being grateful for. I went to bed so much more peaceful and I actually had a decent night’s sleep. Your message today is another reminder – maybe I should do that more often.
I love you, Mama Beth…and am praying that your pain will be relieved miraculously and completely by the Healer.
Try asking the Hospital to apply your balance for hospital service to “Charity Care”, most hospitals can do this if you ask, try to do this in writing directly to there billing department. This can be done despite the your income and ability to pay, even if you have insurance (balance over insurance payment).
Just the other day I sent an emotionally charged email to three dear women. (In other words, I laughed half the time I was writing it, and cried the other half.)
As I signed off I thanked them for being my Romans 12:15 friends.
Thank you, Jesus for friends like that!
That’s pretty cool…my husband, bless his heart, is such a phlegmatic. He’s said if he wasn’t married, he’d be happy living in a cave! So, our one-on-one friendship circle is very small and limited and my heart tries not to fault him for how God wired him. I do believe friendships are important and I continuously pray that God will bring the “right” ones and that we are willing to step out of our cave and say Hello.
What good news to hear you are back up to par with your weight. Praise the Lord! What a blessing to have such a close connection with friends. My husband and I have never found that. We have been in the area for 16 years and have acquantiences but no real life long friends we can share everything with. It kind of stinks actually. It has been down right discouraging and so hard to be honest. It has been such a desire of ours to find these connections but it just never happens. Although we were chatting last night and thinking how we ourselves are literal kindred spirits 🙂 As hard as it has been we have always found oursleves on the same page spiritually which has been so wonderful. We really have only each other to be friends with 🙂 And our kids, of course.
What a beautiful post! God is so very good that I can barely take it all in sometimes of just how gracious and merciful and patient He is and will be!
Therefore we do not lose heart. Amen!
Praying for you Beth and your ministry. So glad you are feeling better. I have no idea what chicken fried chicken is but I am sorry you can’t enjoy it at lunch…I’m assuming it is really really fried chicken…haha
Love and Blessings to you and all the siestas,
michelle in VT
You are so right about our need not only for a strong, growing relationship with God, but also strong, trustworthy relationships with others! Life is just hard, period. My marriage of 24 years is being tested in difficult ways right now as my husband deals with tragic family circumstances, depression/anger, and quitting smoking all at the same time. It helps me to remember the many times early in our marriage when my hubby held on while my anger and immaturity tested him. God did a work in me then. It’s my turn to uphold him while God works now. I have a couple precious friends with whom I may vent and who help me to hold on. It’s a blessing to have friendships that are reciprocal like this!
AMEN AND AMEN!!!! God is so good and the devil is truly relentless. My husband is not saved and right now he and the devil are trying their hardest to break me……God may break me, but not them. I just keep praying and praying and praying and praying. I pray I am up to the sacrifice it will take to see my man saved!!! That is all that is important…not me. Even though the devil would have me think “I” am the important one here. Lift us up in prayer if you think of us……
Meanwhile, enjoy this stage of your lives….it is so darn wonderful.
Blessings,
Bible Bunny in NO MI
Reading your sweet marriage comments are bittersweet for me. I just walked from a 17 year marriage (took the kids and dog with me). Church goin folk every week we are, but saying no to years and years of mistreatment and anger. I have since stepped down from teaching, women’s ministry, etc..And I have been in love with Jesus for decades now. I smile with great understanding of how people on the outside can say..don’t give up! (pointing their finger). or “How about counseling?” Sigh. Been there, done all that. Yes the devil is busy but everyone has a choice. It is by God’s Grace alone that marriages make it all the way thru..and I can testify, that it is only by God’s Grace that He will get my family through this divorce (and yes I am open for a miracle, but people still get to choose).
Don’t know why I shared so much, but that was on my heart. I so LOVE to sit and see wonderful marriages take place. It gives me hope that God will give me one in the future. Grace upon Grace.
Much love to you Beth and LPM. You bless my life.
Shelly in FL
Dearest Shelly, I never write a word about marriage that I don’t think about those going through something like you described. I hate so much to bring up something that gives people pain and at the same time need so badly to encourage as many couples as possible to stick it out. For so many, the problem is discontentment or disillusionment rather than the much bigger issue of mistreatment. That’s a whole different animal. I’ve told so many women that I don’t know whether or not their marriages will be okay because it demands the cooperation of both parties with God but I do know that, even if a couple is not restored, each individual can be. Thank You, Jesus.
Much love to you, too.
Amen Beth and thank you. HE IS restoring me and Praise His Name that my healing is not dependent on other peoples healing! I am experiencing unprecedented, undeserved, and unexplainable Grace. Thank you Jesus. (and thank you Beth for Believing God..that sparked everything for me).
Oh Mrs Beth! I thank you for this reminder today…the Lord has been so gracious to me by surrounding me with couples of all ages and all situations. Those who have been married and divorced and remarried who have stories to share about God’s faithfulness and the lessons learned through the trials. Couples who have weathered some of life’s most difficult trials, affairs, addictions, and death, and how they deepened their relationship with each other and their relationship with God. Widows who share how to not take things for granted because you’ll end up missing the crazy little things that no one else would know about.
I feel like God has shown me all of these types of marriages and relationships to give me an opportunity to look long and hard at what all marriage is about and to not get married just to BE married. For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to be married but as of now, God hasn’t brought Mr Right into the picture and to be completely honest, I’m glad. If I had got married as young as I wanted to, I wouldn’t have been able to learn about myself and who God wants me to be. I kinda feel like I’m breaking a generational “thing” (don’t want to say curse, because my family is pretty awesome, just full of issues! ;)) Everyone in my family has married very young and had a family reeaaallly young and I’m not. I know God has a reason for this and I’m anxious to see what it is.
Thanks for the reminder of how we’re supposed to be there for each other in the good and the bad. For the hard times at the hospital and the good times at the Mexican restaurant. For the big and the small. That’s what it means to a part of the family of God! (Singing that old hymn, Im so glad I’m a part of the family of God!You know this one, right GaJan?!)
Love you lots and waay more than my luggage! 😉
Nikki
Times like you described, I can hear “Victory in Jesus” loud and clear. What a joy to share with life long friends. God is so good.
WOW…I have just recently began reading the blog and I already feel part of the siesta community…
BETH…I have to say that I have seen you a few times in live events, participated in a handful of your studies and now everything I read I am amazed and so so thankful that you give every second of it to God!!! I could just sit and bawl my head off some days and then laugh the next second as to the events that take place in this crazy house of ours with 4 kids from ages 2-17 and I mean crazy in a good way! LOL Busy, Blessed and Sometimes Broken…but none the less I know that I could listen to you for hours, read anything you write and know that God speaks so tenderly to me through you! So thankful that you followed what God had planned for your life! And so thankful that you are always willing to give every ounce of credit to him as well!
Love this site…Love you…and am loving the positive ladies on here!
Love,
Lori 🙂
P.S. I read something last week as I was dealing with our son who has autism, high functioning but very very complicated and about to turn 13. It was the same day that I felt not a single person was listening…. I wanted to run down the street screaming and crying, doesn’t anyone hear me? Instead I began to read all of my old journals and notes and open books that were laying around…I came across a place in the book you wrote of Things Pondered and God spoke to me so clearly that night! He ask you if you Could just love him??? WOW…OUCH…Could I just love my Mason and God would do the rest…and yes I have just been loving him and God is helping me through the rest! Thanks so much for sharing! I dont really know what I would have done that night if I had not found that! I was begging God to show me something! And he did… You are a precious precious woman and I do so love you! Thank you God for working through Ms. Beth to help others come to know you better:)